NOW and THEN, a life of an OFW

I've been working as an OFW in Dubai since Aug 2004, in short, more than a decade of being in a rat race. Shall i stay or shall i go? 

The answer is definitely a Yes, I have to stay! because of 3 reasons below:

1. My family is here
2. Retirement plan is still in progress.
3. I have the best job ever so "strike while the iron is hot"

In my 10 yrs working in the corporate world, how do i account myself in terms of achievement in investing?

Here are the highlights to the decade of being an Overseas Foreign Worker (OFW)...

2004 Job start

2005 Got my UAE license in 2nd try. Yaay!

2006 Got my first ever car, Peugeot 206, 2006 model, & my first  

     trip with friends in Bangkok Thailand and Bohol, Phils.          

Me and my red hot Cherry

with my good friends and travel buddies - Judith & Grace

2007 Travelled abroad (Asia, Europe and Middle East, and Southern Phils.)

i was a travelholic

2008 Travelled Italy and The Netherlands (it's addicting, you know!). 

• Sold my "Cherry" and bought "Blu", a 2008 BMW 320i

• Purchased my first property for our future dream house

  

  Soon to build our Dream house!!!

2009 Travelled Greece and Maldives

Athens and Santorini, Greece

Maldives and Palawan

2010 Built my dream house in almost 7 months,got married and got 

     my best ever gift, my daughter!

Our humble Abode

My Family

2011 Save, invest, save, invest! 

2012 Save, invest, save, spend

2013 Spend, spend, save, invest!

2014 Save, invest , save, invest! IT IS SO TIRING!!! i missed being a shopaholic and see the world.

Looking back I never regret that I enjoyed my life while single. At least now, I can focus enjoying with my family. Though, sometimes, I still missed a holiday abroad. 

I changed a lot, I value more time with friends and my new motto is : LESS IS MORE. I have come to realized that material things are all temporary - it doesn't lasts for a long time. You just keep on yearning for more but in reality, you will never be contented and happy. Being happy is from within. All you have to do is find out.

Right now, i am currently in a habit of being frugal, keep on saving and investing. Join me in the pursuit of being free - being financially free and retire early.